University autonomy must be preserved, says UNAM rector

University autonomy is a vital achievement that must be protected to foster free thinking, ensure quality education, and contribute to the democratic progress of societies, stated Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas, rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He made these remarks during the commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León's (UANL) autonomy.

Delivering a keynote address titled "University Autonomy: Freedom of Thought, Self-Governance, and Social Responsibility," Lomelí Vanegas clarified that defending this principle does not mean isolating universities. Instead, it guarantees their ability to serve society more effectively through independence, academic rigor, transparency, and social commitment.

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University autonomy is an achievement that must be preserved because it allows for free thinking, quality education, and contributes to the democratic development of societies.

Invited by UANL's rector, Santos Guzmán López, Lomelí Vanegas praised the Nuevo León institution. He highlighted UANL's consolidation as a cornerstone of public higher education in Mexico, serving nearly 230,000 students across 403 educational programs. The university also boasts over 1,300 researchers.

Lomelí Vanegas's statements underscore the ongoing importance of academic freedom and institutional independence in Mexico's higher education landscape. The defense of autonomy is presented not as an end in itself, but as a necessary condition for universities to fulfill their mission of advancing knowledge and serving the public good.

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Defending this principle does not mean isolating universities, but rather ensuring that they can better serve society with independence, academic rigor, transparency, and social commitment.